Ngan
A girl's name of Chinese origin with 219 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from Cantonese.
Ngan is a girl's baby name of Chinese origin, a Cantonese name element meaning "silver" or carrying other meanings depending on the character used. Silver symbolizes purity, elegance, and value in Chinese culture, making it an auspicious element in feminine names.
Ngan is used in Cantonese-speaking communities in Hong Kong, Guangdong, and among the global Cantonese diaspora. It has the minimal, sharp quality of single-syllable Cantonese names that carry complete, resonant meaning.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Ngan is a girl's name with several decades of recorded use (1982–2021). Its Chinese roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
With 219 total births, Ngan exists at the edges of the American naming landscape — a name known primarily to the families who carry it, giving it an intensely personal character.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ngan has 27+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1982.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 5 | — |
| 2010s | 5 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 62 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 84 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 63 | — |
The Story of Ngan
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1991, Ngan is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Ngan are most likely born between 1982 and 2001.
How rare is Ngan?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Ngan is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1982, peaked in the 1990s with 84 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Ngan by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(27 years, 1982–2021)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | #16987 |
| 2012 | 5 | #18790 |
| 2008 | 7 | #14960 |
| 2007 | 6 | #17017 |
| 2006 | 11 | #10415 |
| 2005 | 6 | #15891 |
| 2004 | 10 | #10479 |
| 2002 | 6 | #14899 |
| 2001 | 11 | #9193 |
| 2000 | 5 | #16835 |
| 1999 | 11 | #8635 |
| 1998 | 7 | #12020 |
| 1997 | 9 | #9587 |
| 1996 | 6 | #12977 |
| 1995 | 8 | #10231 |
| 1993 | 8 | #10270 |
| 1992 | 12 | #7382 |
| 1991 | 15 | #6164 |
| 1990 | 8 | #9880 |
| 1989 | 14 | #6048 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ngan a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ngan most popular?
How popular is the name Ngan?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1982–2021